Safety razor with adjustable blade setting



1958 M. J. SHNITZLER ETAL 2,848,807

SAFETY RAZOR WITH ADJUSTABLE BLADE SETTING Filed March 19, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 j 44 B 16 'l 16 f4 Afr? 37 14 $5? 0 4 5.2 Q: 10 fig I6 I J 23 996 F Z0 22 k 5 F I Inven ions Meyer J 5601'72/0" fi'ic/me/ Doug/as Ben eal'c gJ/r Aug. 26, 1958 M. J. SHNITZLER ET AL 2,

SAFETY RAZOR WITH ADJUSTABLE BLADE SETTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1956 w W W 0 @w wd. Haw

m r m United States Puent C) SAFETY RAZOR WITH ADJUSTABLE BLADE SETTING Meyer J. Shnitzler, Brookline, and Michael Douglas Benedict, Jr., Wollaston, Mass, assignors to The Gillette Company, Boston, Mass, a corporation of Delaware ApplicationMarch' 19, 1956,'Serial No. 572,494

3 Claims. (Cl. 30-605) The present invention relates to safety razors, and-principally to safety razors of the so-called one-piece construction, wherein the Component elements of therazor remain inter-connected at all timesto facilitate bladewreplacement without the necessity of handling separated razor parts. In greater particularity the present invention concerns the provision of improved and relatively inexpensive means for adjusting the shaving. relation between a clamped blade and an associated guard memberto suit the needs of the user.

The various objects and featurescf the inventionwill .be apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, and their particular novelty distinctly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, partially in longitudinal section, showing our razor with the shaving relation thereof adjusted to provide a minimum blade edge-exposure;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, with certain portions broken away, but with the shaving relation adjusted-to provide a greater exposure of the blade edge;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line'3--3 in Fig.- land 'onan enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on'the line 44 in Fig. 1 and also on an enlarged. scale;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view on an enlargedscale of -the elements employed in clamping a bladein tl1e-.present razor;

Fig. 6 is a view-similar to'Fig. 5' showing these elements in a different relative position; and

Fig. 7 is an exploded View of the various component elements of the illustrated razor.

A-preferred embodiment of our novel razor, as it would be used in shaving, is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,

wherein it will be seen that the razor comprises a head portion 10 in which a double-edged blade B may be clamped for use in shaving. A handle 12, of composite construction, is connected to the head portion 10 which may include a guard 14, a platform 16 and a pair of swingable cap sections 18 for clamping the blade B against the platform 16 With its cutting edges in shaving relation with respect to the guard 14.

The exterior portions of'the handle 12 may include a guard extension 20 fast upon the guard 14 to whicha tube 22 may be press-fitted to form a composite outer tube. Immediately beneath the tube 22 (hereinafter referred to as outer tube 22) will be found an adjusting knob 24 which may be employed to vary the shaving relation beone end of which is spun onto the platform 16 and which extends interiorly of the tube 22 and concentrically there- 2,848,807 Patented 'Aug. 26, 1958 of. For convenience of manufacture, this inner tube 28 may be of composite construction and include athreaded element-'30, pressed onto its lower end. -With further reference to Fig. 1, it can be seen that theadjustingknob24 may also, for convenience of manufacture, be ofcomposite-coustruction and have a press-fitted insert 32 which is threaded onto the threaded element30. This insert further provides a seat 34-for receiving the lower endof the outer tube22. A spring36-acting between a flange tion. between the clamped blade 13 and :the guard member 14 is to be determined by the needs of the shaving public,

the present disclosure illustrates an average exposure of the blade edge in Fig. 1 and an arbitrarily selected, representative maximum exposure of-the blade edge in Fig. 2. .These extremes andany intermediate exposure positions may be obtained byrevolving'the adjusting knob 24 to vary the position thereof with respect to the inner tube 28 and threaded element 30. This result flows from the fact that the relative position .of the guard-member 14 is controlled by the adjusting knob 24 and the spring 36. With respect to the presently-discussed aspect of the invention, it should be observed that the clamped blade B,.the platform 16, and the composite inner-tube 28 with threaded element 30 form a rigid metallic-system for carrying the adjusting knob 24. The

shaving relation adjusting system is free from any interdependent functional elements interconnecting I it with the system carrying the blade B. Thus, the guard 14,- the guard extension 20 and'outer tube 22 all are carriedby the adjusting knob seat- 34 to carryor withstand the forces to which the various component elements willbe subjected whenthe razor isused in shaving. Theseitwo independent systems give a solid supportfor the blade and guard, while at the same time; the shaving relation of the blade B with respect to the; guard 14 may atany time be-varied by adjustment; of the knob 24.

Replacement of theblade B is effected by a further systemof mechanical elementswhich, according toother aspects of the invention, may include the knob 26 located immediately-below the adjusting knob 24 and in end-toend relation thereto. Theknob; 26 is illustrated as having -twoconcentr-ic, interiorly threaded portions, the up- .46. The cross-section of this-reduced-portion 46. corresponds to the configuration ofthe aperture-40. to permit passage of the reduced portion 46 therethrough but prevent relative rotation therebetween. A- lock-nut '48; is threaded onto the extreme lower. portion of the reduced portion 46 to-maintain the threaded element 38 and the stem 42 in assembled relation. Referring further, to Figs. 1 and 7, it will besseen thatjajspring lock-washer 50 is interposed between the nut 48 and thethreaded elementBS. InFig. 1, the lock-washer 50 is shownasit performs a function described belowin which itis wholly compressedto, ajflat condition, though normally, in noncompressed condition, this lock washer would maintain the threaded e1'ement'38 at'the upper end of the reduced portion 4601' the stem 42.

A lower end of which provision is made for the pivotal mounting thereof on the pintles 54. Also adjacent these pivotal mountings are projections 60 extending from the legs 58 and preferably at right angles thereto. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 5, it will be seen that the platform 16 is formed with integral tabs 62 adjacent the legs 58 and overlying the projections 60.

With the above description in mind, it will be seen that the blade B may be replaced by opening and closing the swingable cap sections 18 without disturbing the shaving relation established in the razor head by the adjusting knob 24. To this end, knob 26 is rotated to advance it upwardly along the threaded element 30. 'The threads of the element 38 are preferably of the opposite hand and, therefore, the threaded element 38 will also advance upwardly with respect to the knob 26. As this occurs, the element 38 will move upwardly until it reaches the upper limit of the reduced portion 46 of the stem 42, decompressing the lock-washer 50, and then impart longitudinal movement to the stem 42, carrying it upwardly and with it the spider 44. Ashas been noted, thecap sections 18 are carried on the pintles 54 at ends of these spider cross arms 52, and, therefore, they will advance upwardly as said longitudinal movement is imparted by rotation of the knob 26. As a result of this longitudinal movement, the projections 60 will engage undersurfaces of the platform 16 as provided by the tabs 62, thus causing the cap sections 18 to swing outwardly to a fully open position whichis illustratively shown in Fig. 7. In this position of the cap sections 18, an old blade may be removed and a new blade may be placed on the razor head, resting on the platform 16. The new blade may be clamped on the platform 16 by imparting reverse rotation to the knob 26. In so doing, the knob 26 and the threaded element 38 will move downwardly with respect to the outer tube 22, carrying the stem 42 and the associated spider 44 therewith in a longitudinal direction. As this longitudinal movement is imparted, the legs 58 of the cap sections 18 will engage edges 61 on the platform, as provided by the tab 62 (see Fig. 6), thus causing the cap sections to swing inwardly toward each other in readiness to clamp a blade B on the platform 16, in response to continuedlongitudinal movement of the stem 42, in a downward direction. After the blade B is clamped against the platform 16 in a positive manner, further continued rotation of the knob 26 compresses the spring 50 as seen in Fig. 1 to provide a friction lock which prevents inadvertent loosening of the knob 26. I

It will be noted that the above arrangement provides at all times a fixed relation for the opening and closing 4 I spring 64 may be provided. This spring lies between and bears against the threaded element 30 and the outer-tube 22 to force its lower end through a slot 66 formed in the lower end of the outer-tube 22. The adjusting knob 24- is provided with a portion 67 which overlaps the lower end of the outer-tube 22 and is concentric therewith. Flutes 68 formed in this overlapping portion provide detent means for receiving the lower end of the stop-- spring 64 (Fig. 4) as it is urged outwardly through the: slot 66. Thus, as the adjusting knob 24 is rotated, a readily detachable hesitation is felt by the user as the detentmeans releasably maintains the adjusting knob in various incremental positions. Further, the stop-spring 64 produces an audible noise as it enters one flute or another, assisting the user in determining the magnitude of variation.

As has previously been alluded to, there are desirable maximum and minimum settings for the shaving relation of the blade edge with respect to the guard member 14. In the interests of providing a more convenient and eflicient adjusting means for this shaving relation, it is desirable that means be provided for preventing the adjustment of'the shaving relation from exceeding either extreme limit. To this end, and with another aspect of the present invention in mind, the stop-spring 64 preferably is formed with a loop 70 which also extends through the slot 66 in the outer-tube 22. Cooperating with this projecting loop is an integral lug 72 extending upwardly from the overlapping portion 67 of the adjusting knob 24. Once in assembled relation, the rotation of the adjusting knob24 is thereby limited to less than one revolution and the extreme limits of adjustment may be established by the pitch of the thread of the element-30.

Two functions are combined in the stop-spring 64; namely it serves as a click-producing detent means as well as providing a stop for limiting the extent of adjustment of the knob 24 to less than one full revolution. Yet another function is uniquely combined in this element in that the loop 70 is preferably disposed immediately above the upper surface of the overlapping portion 67 of the adjusting knob 24. On the outer surface of this overlapping portion, indicia, such as engraved numbers, may

be placed to serve as a visual guide for establishing or registering a desired shaving relation of the blade B with respect to the guard member 14. The loop 70 is externally visible and serves as a ready reference point for the desired indicia on the adjusting knob 24.

of the cap sections 18 that is, regardless of the adjust- A ment of the knob 24 to provide a wide range of shaving relations, the same relative movement, caused by the rotation of the knob 26, between the inner tube 28 and the stem 42 will efiectuate the same degree of opening and closing of the cap sections 18.

oftentimes, in shaving it is found that certain portions of a persons face may be more tender than other portions, and because of this or for closer shaving or other reasons, it may be desirable to vary the shaving relation of the blade of the razor head during the course of the shave. For this reason, as Well as to permit variations of this shaving relation to suit the need of different individual users, it is essential that convenient and readily accessible means be provided for effecting such adjustment. Further to these same ends, it is desirable to provide sensing means for determining the magnitudeof adjustment being made. To further these purposes,.astop- Having thus described our invention, what we claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

l. A safety razor of the type which has its component elements interconnected at all times, said razor comprising a handle and a head portion attached thereto for holding a double-edged blade, said head portion including a platform, swingable cap sections having an open position for blade replacement and a closed position for clamping the blade against the platform, and a guard spaced be neath the cutting edges of the clamped blade and in shaving relation with respect to. said cutting edges, said handle comprising a hollow outer tube secured at one end to the guard and having a longitudinally extending slot in its other end, an inner tube secured to said platform and extending interiorly and concentrically of the outer tube, an adjusting knob threaded onto the lower end of the innertube for varying the shaving relation of the guard with respect to said blade edges to suit the needs of theuser, .said adjusting knob having a seat for receiving and bearing against each of said tubes to urge its lower end outwardly through the slot in said outer tube causing said lower end to enter said flutes and releasably maintain said adjusting knob in selected positions, an integral projection on said stop-spring extending into the path of travel of said lug and limiting the movement of said adjusting knob to less than one full revolution, said head portion also including a spider on which said cap sections are swingably mounted, a stem connected to said spider and extending interiorly of said inner tube, means for imparting longitudinal movement to said stem and spider comprising a knob also threaded onto the lower end of said inner tube and in end-to-end relationship with said adjusting knob, said cap sections having projections and legs adjacent their pivotal mountings and said platform having undersurfaces which are engaged by said projections to swing said cap sections to their open position in response to movement of the stem in one direction, said platform also having edges which engage the cap section legs to swing said cap sections to their closed position in response to longitudinal movement of the stem and spider in the opposite direction as the blade is clamped against the platform.

2. A safety razor of the type which has its component elements interconnected at all times, said razor comprising a handle and a head portion attached thereto for holding a double-edged blade, said head portion including a guard, a platform, and means for clamping the blade against the platform with the cutting edges of the blade in shaving relation with respect to the guard, said handle comprising a hollow outer tube secured at one end to the guard, an inner tube secured to said platform and extending interiorly and concentrically of the outer tube, an adjusting knob threaded onto the lower end of the inner tube for varying the shaving relation of the guard with respect to said blade edges to suit the needs of the user and having a seat for receiving the other end of the outer tube, spring means for maintaining said outer tube in engagement with the adjusting knob seat, said outer tube having a longitudinally extending slot in its lower end, a stop-spring extending into said slot, said adjusting knob having flutes formed on an interior surface overlapping the lower end of said outer tube and concentric therewith, and a lug integral with said overlapping portion and extending thereabove, said stopspring comprising an elongated member extending between said outer tube and said inner tube and bearing against each of said tubes to urge its lower end outwardly through the slot in said outer tube causing said lower end to enter said flutes and releasably maintain the adjusting knob in selected positions, and an integral projection on said stop-spring extending into the path of travel of said lug and limiting the movement of said adjusting knob to less than one full revolution.

3. A safety razor of the type which has its component elements interconnected at all times, said razor comprising a handle and a head portion attached thereto for holding a double-edged blade, said head portion including guard, a platform, and means for clamping the blade tgainst the platform with the cutting edges of the blade in having relation with respect to the guard, said handle comprising a hollow outer tube, an inner tube extending interiorly and concentrically of the outer tube, the upper end of one said tube secured to said guard and the upper end of the other said tube secured to said platform, an adjusting knob threaded onto one of said tubes for varying the relation of the guard with respect to said platform and having a seat for receiving the other of said tubes, said outer tube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a stop-spring extending into said slot, said adjusting knob having flutes formed on an interior surface concentric with said tubes,'and a lug integral with said adjusting knob, said stop-spring comprising an elongated member extending between said outer tube and said inner tube and bearing against said inner tube to urge a portion of said stop-spring outwardly through the slot in said outer tube into engagement with said flutes and releasably maintain the adjusting knob in selected positions, a portion of said stop-spring extending into the path of travel of said lug and limiting the movement of said adjusting knob to less than one full revolution.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,755,726 Conill Apr. 22, 1930 2,004,086 Testi June 4, 1935 2,106,587 Bates et al Jan. 25, 1938 2,369,685 Nelson Feb. 20, 1945 2,612,684 Mansfield Oct. 7, 1952 2,729,888 OShea Ian. 10, 1956 2,748,467 Shnitzler et al June 5, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 100,830 Australia Apr. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2,848,807 August 26, 1958 Meyer J. Shnitzler et al- 7 It is hereby certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 11, for "detachable" read detectable Signed and sealed this 28th day of October 1958.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

